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“That’s good, Meggie Youin Hartford”

“I’ for another reason, too”

He should have known there would be a hitch

“We’re having a barbecue on the long weekend I expect you to be there Your parents and Bryce and Mary have already said they’re coones For both of you There’s nothing left to fight over”

Tom ran his free hand over his face No one seemed to understand that there wasover the same woman

“I’ood idea The last tiht he couldn’t let go of, it was the grief She was his cousin’s wife, yet Josh wasn’t the only onetoo, only he had never been able to show it He hadn’t felt entitled to his grief

“The last time you both were stupid You’re cousins You have to start somewhere And if either one of you starts any trouble, I’ll kick your asses You know I can do it”

Aunt Meggie had tanned his backside enough when he and Josh had been boys that he knew sheto Josh The two sisters had raised their boys with tough but loving hands

He respected her far too much to let her do “I’ll be there On my best behavior, promise”

“You could always bring your hot wings as a peace offering”

He laughed “You’re pushing it, Aunt

Meggie”

“I know” The line went quiet for aon her next words “He needs you, Toht now”

Tom’s heart thumped He wanted to ask, What about ht Erin hadn’t been his wife And through the bitterness was another tangle of emotion He and Bryce and Josh—they’d all been like brothers He’d missed his cousin, too Yet he kneould never be the saain

“Hot wings it is”